Public hearings on proposed tank in Searsport continue | News

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SEARSPORT, Maine (NEWS CENTER) --- Tense talks are expected to continue in Searsport Wednesday evening over whether a 138-foot propane tank should be built on Mack Point.

Public meetings on the issue have been taking place since last year. Denver based D.C.P. Midstream wants to build the tank, which will hold liquefied propane gas brought into the U.S. Several groups around Searsport are strongly against the project. On Monday townspeople got to hear the details of a report prepared by former White House counterterrorism advisor Richard Clarke. It recommended that Searsport's planning board not approve the project -- citing safety concerns and the ability of responders to handle a possible accident at the tank.

Officials with D.C.P. Midstream say if approved the project would create 13 permanent jobs and about 100 more temporary ones to build the tank. The town's planning board is expected to rule on the proposal following the hearings.